Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 11-11-2018, 08:07 PM

Hi,

I am looking to get an electric mattress pad for my coach.
I would like to be able to run it while dry camping.

My issue is the 500w coach inverter is MSW and may fry a mattress pad. I do have a 400 psw inverter which I could use. There is a 12 volt receptacle by the dinette but I gather can only put out 150/180 watts, also would need to run an extension lead to the pad.

My other option is the battery bay is below the bedroom and I could run a cable and mount the inverter in the bedroom.

Has anyone done this?

Ray,IN · 11-11-2018, 09:08 PM

Why not just go with a 12VDC mattress pad?
Edit: Since most electric mattress pads convert 120VAC down to 12VDC, wonder if you could re-wire?

ktn1966 · 11-11-2018, 09:14 PM

This is a hard question to ask on this forum. You first need to look at your battery capacity and condition. What is the expected draw while running the mattress pad and will you be able replenish what you used the next day either by solar or generator.

I have ran wiring from my batteries to the bed side of another trailer, but that was just for USB plugs. The wiring for an inverter needs to be bigger for several reasons. I do not feel qualified to give you those reason but you can read it on, "12V Side of Life"' a website that I do not have a link but you can google.

Just doing it without getting the numbers (amps, watts, volts, battery capacity....) can at the worse create a fire hazard, but what most likely can happen is waking up with not heat from the mattress pad and your coach batteries drained.

Unicorn Driver · 11-12-2018, 06:22 AM

Thanks Ray,

I must check can I get a queen size one.

Thanks Kip,

I have 440AH of batteries and can replenish with 200watt of solar or generator.

I definitely do not want a fire hazard.

Isaac-1 · 11-12-2018, 06:50 AM

I was just looking this up due to a thread on another forum, in the case of electric blankets, they typically draw about 70 watts per controller when set on high, this would be up to 150 watts per blanket with dual controllers.

Unicorn Driver · 11-12-2018, 07:34 AM

Hi Issac,

Hope all is well?

At 150 watts it should run if I plug my PSW inverter in to
a 12 volt socket. I would need to have one wired up though.

Unicorn Driver · 11-12-2018, 09:58 AM

Came across this on another thread.

These ones will work with a MSW inverter. I called and asked. Its the softheat brand.

https://www.abbedding.com/contact-us.aspx

Unicorn Driver · 11-12-2018, 12:12 PM

Found a softheat one for 80$ on Amazon. I searched the reviews and it had been used with a MSW.

Duoglide1 · 11-12-2018, 04:34 PM

My experience has been that the analog style are good with MSW but if it’s got digital controls it will fail. Quickly and with magic smoke leaving the unit. Good luck.

Unicorn Driver · 11-12-2018, 04:52 PM

Thanks Duo,

A couple of reviews mentioned it worked fine with a MSW.

jcussen · 11-12-2018, 05:10 PM

Used the 12 volt model mentioned in Post #2 in a truck camper. Left it on high while driving and put in low when going to bed, only about 35 watts in low. Ran off 1 8d [240 a/h] still had 12.4 v. in the morning.Because mattress was heated all the way through, stayed warm all night Used down into teens with no problem, getting up to pee was a different matter...

DodgersFan · 11-16-2018, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unicorn Driver

Hi,

My issue is the 500w coach inverter is MSW and may fry a mattress pad. I do have a 400 psw inverter which I could use.

Have you considered replacing the coach's MSW with a PSW?

Unicorn Driver · 11-17-2018, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcussen

Used the 12 volt model mentioned in Post #2 in a truck camper. Left it on high while driving and put in low when going to bed, only about 35 watts in low. Ran off 1 8d [240 a/h] still had 12.4 v. in the morning.Because mattress was heated all the way through, stayed warm all night Used down into teens with no problem, getting up to pee was a different matter...

Hi,

I looked at the 12 volt models but don't have a 12 volt socket in the bedroom.

Unicorn Driver · 11-17-2018, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DodgersFan

Have you considered replacing the coach's MSW with a PSW?

Hi,

I did consider it but decided against it due to cost.
Besides a 40inch and 32 inch LED Tv everything else is setup to run off propane or 12 volt.

I may do it sometime.

The mattress pad I got will run on a MSW.